Trees protect rivers, streams

Arbor Day, April 30, the tree planting holiday, is celebrated in Indiana and nationwide. Trees help clear the air and clean the water. They provide welcome shade and beauty, making our communities more livable.

Trees also help prevent soil erosion, especially along river and creek banks, yet the clear-cutting of trees for agricultural drainage in Delaware and Jay counties seems to be increasing with the decisions of the Delaware County Surveyor and in Jay County by the three county commissioners who also serve as the county drainage board.

While the state of Indiana is losing farmland to development and urban sprawl at an alarming rate of about 90,000 acres a year — equivalent to the size of Blackford County — we’re also losing some of the world’s best top soil to erosion due to the short-sighted and damaging policy of clear-cutting both sides of the streams in this area.

Trees and other plantings can help prevent pollutants such as silt, sewage, sediment, manure and pesticides from entering the waterways.

Good drainage can be obtained while still protecting the environment. Don’t these people ever communicate with the soil and water conservation department? With the number of “factory farms” increasing, it’s going to be more important than ever to protect our streams from the tons of waste they produce.

Thank you,

Tony Giltner

Portland

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